This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Thursday brings a fairly light schedule in the NBA consisting of five games. The marquee matchup features the Warriors traveling to Milwaukee to play the Bucks. Klay Thompson is set to play again, but Draymond Green (calf) has already been ruled out. Although Jrue Holiday (ankle) is considered to be doubtful, the Bucks are at least expected to get back Grayson Allen from the health and safety protocols. That comes on the heels of Donte DiVincenzo and Pat Connaughton making their returns from the protocols in Monday's game against the Hornets. Let's examine all of the matchups for the evening and highlight some players to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Patty Mills, BKN vs. OKC ($14): The Nets pulled off a big win against the Bulls on Wednesday and now they have a quick turnaround to face one of the worst teams in the league. Kyrie Irving is already out with the game being played in Brooklyn. This feels like a good spot for the Nets to rest James Harden and/or Kevin Durant, too. If either of them sit out, then Mills could be left as one of their leading scorers.
Dennis Smith, POR at DEN ($12): The Trailblazers are already playing without Damian Lillard, (abdomen), and CJ McCollum (personal) and Anfernee Simons (personal) have been ruled out for this game as well. That leaves Smith as one of the last guards standing for the Blazers. During a three-game stretch in which he started this season, Smith averaged 15.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.7 steals across 39 minutes per game. He could end up being one of the best bargains for this slate.
Guard to Avoid
Jordan Poole, GS at MIL ($19): The return of Thompson has dealt a significant blow to Poole's fantasy production. He hasn't scored more than 24.5 Yahoo points in any of the last three games, logging fewer than 25 minutes in two of those contests. There will be nights when Thompson sits that Poole thrives, but this likely won't be one of them.
FORWARDS
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. GS ($56): Who is going to stop Giannis with Green out? Otto Porter? Juan Toscano-Anderson? Good luck with that. Add in the potential for more assists with Jrue Holiday (ankle) listed as doubtful, and Giannis is someone to consider building your entire entry around, despite his hefty salary.
Amir Coffey, LAC at NO ($16): With injuries hammering their roster, the Clippers have moved Coffey into the starting five. He's logged at least 33 minutes in back-to-back games, scoring 30.5 and 45.5 Yahoo points, respectively. The Clippers won both of those contests, which could indicate that Coffey remains in his expanded role.
Forward to Avoid
Kyle Anderson, MEM vs. MIN ($17): Anderson can have the occasional big game, like when he scored 45.4 Yahoo points Sunday against the Lakers. However, he's mostly been limited, scoring 25.8 Yahoo points or fewer in seven of his last eight games. With Coffey having a salary that's one dollar cheaper, there's no need to take a chance on Anderson having a rare big night.
CENTERS
Jonas Valanciunas, NO vs. LAC ($32): Valanciunas has roasted the Clippers this season, scoring 46.6 and 66.5 Yahoo points, respectively, across their first two meetings. The Clippers are not a good team on the glass, allowing the sixth-most rebounds per game in the league. Expect them to have a difficult time slowing down Valanciunas on the boards.
Nicolas Claxton, BKN vs. OKC ($17): This one will require some monitoring. LaMarcus Aldridge (foot) is expected to sit out again, which would normally leave Claxton with added minutes. However, Claxton sat out Wednesday with a hamstring injury. If he plays, he's a great option. If he sits, consider pivoting to Blake Griffin ($10), who scored 24.0 Yahoo points with both Claxton and Aldridge out Wednesday.
Center to Avoid
Jusuf Nurkic, POR at DEN ($32): Trying to slow down Nikola Jokic is no easy task. Nurkic has not played well against him, scoring 10.7 and 22.9 Yahoo points, respectively, in their first two meetings this season. With Jokic at the helm, the Nuggets have allowed the fourth-fewest rebounds per game in the league, so don't be surprised if Nurkic struggles again.
